The American Public Health Association (APHA), in support of National Public Health Week 2009 and its theme, “Building the Foundation for a Healthy America,” has released a new video series – “Why Public Health Matters.”

The videos feature public health professionals from around the nation sharing their views on public health. The topics they consider include the greatest public health successes, the relevance of public health, challenges facing public health, and much more.
Users can add their voices to the discussion by a submitting a personal story of what public health means to them.
National Public Health Week (NPHW), April 6-12, 2009, will focus on the role that public health must play in improving our nation’s health. More information about NPHW activities and about getting involved is available at http://www.nphw.org/nphw09/default.htm.

Announcing, the pilot issue of NIH MedlinePlus Salud!

NIH MedlinePlus Salud features a bilingual format with a PDF featuring one side Spanish / the other English.

The Friends of the National Library of Medicine are partnering with the National Alliance on Hispanic Health to publish this magazine. The goal is to publish at least two issues a year.  Order your free copy of NIH MedlinePlus Salud.

Also, check out the latest MedlinePlus Magazine featuring Ugly Betty’s Ana Ortiz.

The Grace and Harold Sewell Memorial Fund is currently soliciting applications from librarians/informationists for the 2009/2010 Learning Partnerships. The Fund will award two 12-month, paid “Learning Partnerships” that place experienced health sciences librarians within leading health care organizations for the purpose of both partners gaining a greater understanding of how best information sciences can be effectively applied in each environment. This on-the-edge fellowship offers mid-career librarians the opportunity to be fully immersed in the environment of a health care organization. The fellow will participate in team settings designed to utilize the librarian’s skills and knowledge in non-traditional ways, resulting in a tangible and valuable contribution to the host organization. For more information about the Grace and Harold Sewell Memorial Fund, the Learning Partnerships, fellowship application process, and eligibility requirements, please visit the Sewell Fund website at http://www.sewellfund.org/LearningPartnerships2009.htm.

Applications are due April 15, 2009.

Moderator: Mark Goldstein

Guest Speakers: Betsy Kelly, Assessment and Evaluation Liaison (NN/LM MCR) & Barb Jones, Advocacy Liaison (NN/LM MCR)

Date: Thursday, March 5, 2009

Time: 2:30-4:00 PM

Concept: To help hospital librarians work with two “valuation” tools: (1.) the new Library Value Calculator, adapted from one originally provided by the Massachusetts Library Association, and then adapted for the web by Chelmsford Public Library; and (2.) the Cost Benefit and ROI Calculator, that helps determine a library’s contribution to the institutional “bottom line”.

Highlights / Responses to questions, such as:

• What’s your library worth to the institution?
• How much would it cost to replace your library services on the retail market?
• How much does the library contribute to the bottom line?
• How much benefit does your institution (i.e., the patrons) receive for every dollar spent by the library?
• What kind of annual return is realized for funds allocated to maintain the library’s collection?

To register, please contact Martha Pearson at martha.pearson@umassmed.edu and let her know which session you want to attend. Details of how to access the web conference and Adobe Connect session will be forwarded upon registration. Information on how to test your computer for Adobe Connect is available under Connect Diagnostics on the NN/LM NER Distance Education Web Page.